barebones computer for the observatory

[pmrid]

I recently bought a Gigabyte BRIX barebones for use in the observatory. I thought I might share the experience.

The unit is a rough 100mm square(ish) brick about 30mm deep. In it is a heck of a lot of grunt including an i7 CPU and facility for up to 16GB of low-voltage DDR3s. It has facility for an mSATA AND a 2.5"form factor SATA drive. I equipped mine with both along with the full 16GB of RAM and it boots in under 12 seconds. It's blazingly fast. Programs go on the mSATA and DATA and the like (images) on the SATA. It has built-in (but removeable) WiFi, ethernet, 4 x USB3 ports and supports 2 monitors via one HDMI and one miniDP port so I can split-screen. It does have an internal fan but it doesn't run hot and is exceedingly quiet.
Highly recommend it.

Peter

[acropolite]

Interesting Peter, I've always favoured Gigabyte hardware, never seems to have problems. The equivalent Intel NUC was a dodgy bit of hardware from the outset.

[RobF]

Will be interested to hear how you go Peter with loading up all your software etc. Hope it behaves.

Where did you get it from out of interest?

[RobC]

Peter,

I am interested also. A few questions

1. How do you power it , 240 V or 12V ?
2. Do you intend to mount it on the scope and wifi to it ?
3. What operating system have you installed ?
4. Can you plug a monitor into it ?

Wouldn't mind having at look at it when you have it operational.

Cheers

Rob

[pmrid]

It runs off 19VDCvia a power supply.
Thought about it but don't have the know-how to achieve.
Win7Pro 64 bit.
2 monitors. HDMI -and MiniDP which goes to HDMI via an adapter.
Any time.

It has no problem dealing with all the software I need. It also runs PS6 with ease.
Peter

[pmrid]

G'day Rob. UMart.
Peter